Hyderabad, June 5, 2025 — In a major boost to India’s defence manufacturing sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation have signed a landmark agreement to produce complete fuselages for Rafale fighter jets in India. This is the first time in the Rafale program’s history that such production will take place outside France.
As part of the agreement, TASL will set up a dedicated, state-of-the-art production facility in Hyderabad to manufacture key structural components of the Rafale aircraft. This includes the front section, central fuselage, complete rear section, and lateral shells. The facility is expected to begin operations in the 2028 financial year, targeting an ambitious output of up to two complete fuselages per month.
These Indian-made fuselages will cater to both the Indian Air Force and export demands, placing India firmly on the global aerospace supply chain map. The development comes at a time when India is pushing hard for self-reliance in defence production through initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
This agreement follows the $7 billion defence deal signed in April 2025 for the purchase of 26 naval Rafale fighter jets, expected to be delivered by 2030. The manufacturing of Rafale fuselages in India will significantly support India’s broader military modernization and indigenous capability-building.
The partnership also marks a new chapter in Indo-French strategic relations, with both countries deepening collaboration in high-tech defence and aerospace sectors. By bringing advanced aerospace technology and precision manufacturing to Indian soil, the agreement signifies a crucial leap forward in India’s defence industrial growth.
